Hidden Motives in Everyday Life: The Ugly Side of Human Subconscious

02Sep

Hidden Motives in Everyday Life: The Ugly Side of Human Subconscious

Much of our everyday behavior is motivated by self-serving reasons. Yet, because of the high social cost of behaving selfishly, we try to convince others that our motivations are magnanimous and noble. The most effective way for our brain to pull off that deception of others is to deceive ourselves. So, that’s exactly what it does—it keeps much our uglier motives hidden in our subconscious where it won’t get us in trouble.

Based on The Elephant in the Brain: Hidden Motives in Everyday Life by Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson, Harmony UU member Paul Smith’s sermon will uncover that uglier, unexamined side of our nature. Once you more accurately assess your own motivations, you’ll be in a better position to behave in ways that are more consistent with your ethics.

Women's Coffee Club meets on the second Sunday of each month. The location of this members only gathering changes from month to month. Please contact Gretchen for more information, or if you're interested in hosting. Hope to see you there!

If you’d like to have informal yet intellectually satisfying conversations about theology, philosophy, spirituality, and morality, this discussion group is for you. Meetings are on the third Sunday of each month in room #7 of Lakeview's Building (building attached to Harmony). This is a drop-in group, so no sign up is necessary. All are welcome to attend and childcare is provided.